Monday, October 18, 2010

1. Thais normally eat with a spoon and a fork, not chopsticks. Unless you're eating Chinese food. Or noodles, which are essentially of Chinese origin.

2. In Northern Thailand, pork seems to be as popular as it is in Portland. Pork bits seem to find their way into most meals, even if it's just a bit of bacon to flavor cooked greens.

3. Street vendors/casual restaurants usually serve one dish. It's usually about $1.00. For a whole meal.

4. Those jars set on the table filled with condiments - they're expected to be used. Food (i.e. noodle dishes) doesn't always show up completely seasoned. You're expected to add fish sauce, chilis in vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, or whatever you like, to your own taste, and mix it well. Apparently, we Americans (myself included) are often separators, and don't stir our food before we eat it.

5. Chiang Mai seemed to have as many espresso shops as Portland. Except, they're very modern, and often surrounded by tropical foliage.